A bike ride to honor American wounded warriors recently pedaled through Washington County.
Participants in the 18th Annual Operation One Voice Honor Bike Ride received a police escort from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office while traveling through WACO last week.
Riders left Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, Georgia on Monday, September 2 to begin a 4-day journey that concluded in Destin, Florida on Thursday, September 5. In total, they pedaled nearly 350 miles.
Those taking part in the ride included former and active duty soldiers who were wounded while in service to our country. The purpose of the event is to honor the servicemen and servicewomen who paid the ultimate price for the security of our nation and to raise funds for the struggling families left behind.
This year, soldiers participating in the bike ride included individuals that have sustained injuries via gunshot, IED, grenade, and shrapnel wounds. Multiple riders sustained traumatic brain injuries during their service tenure. Two years ago, a soldier with one remaining lung completed the grueling yet rewarding ride. Cyclists average speeds north of 20 mph over the 4 days.
According to Operation One Voice, the honor ride provides participants with an opportunity to honor and reflect on lost teammates. It also gives warriors a chance to meet other soldiers with similar injuries and shared experiences, often resulting in new friendships.
Each year, the event concludes with the soldiers crossing a finish line that is surrounded by the families of participating warriors. The American heroes are then celebrated throughout the following Operation One Voice Warrior Weekend.
The Honor Ride is a component of the Operation One Voice Rehab Cycle Program, which started in 2007 by providing bicycles to wounded active-duty soldiers who were trying to rehab from their injuries so they complete their military career.
Operation One Voice states that considering some injuries prevent a wounded soldier from traditional exercise, a bike becomes a perfect solution to provide intense cardio with less impact to certain areas of the body. Beyond its physical components, the program is recognized for the significant benefits in its team building and mental health rehabilitation.
Every year, new soldiers are invited to take part in the Annual Honor Bike Ride.
The event also selects one specific hero to honor in a ceremony. In 2024, Army Ranger (3rd Battalion) Sergeant First Class Joseph Kapacziewski (aka Joe Kap) was chosen as honoree.
Joe Kap joined the United States Army following high school graduation in 2001. He served with distinction for more than 15 years.
Severely wounded by a grenade during an ambush in northern Iraq in 2005, he persevered through more than 40 surgeries, the amputation of his right leg below his knee, and a long and grueling recovery to overcome “near-impossible odds” in becoming the first Ranger to return to combat with a prosthetic leg.
To return to his Squad Leader position, Kapacziewski was forced to pass the Army physical fitness test of a five-mile run in under 40 minutes, a 12-mile road march in less than three hours, a fast rope out of a helicopter, and a parachute with a 45-pound combat load.
After only 10 months of rehab on his new prosthetic leg, Kap completed the test and endured 5 more overseas tours as Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. In total, he served 11 deployments in the Global War on Terror.
For his showing of resilience to return to service and for his acts of extraordinary courage while at war, Joseph Kapacziewski was awarded an Army Commendation Medal with a V for Valor, a Bronze Star for Valor, and three Purple Hearts.
In his ensuing civilian life, Kap authored a book, “Back in the Fight,” about his military service and quest to return to his platoon. It is available on Amazon.
Tragically, after battling mental illness and depression following his return from service, Kapacziewski committed suicide last year.
Since record-keeping began post 9/11, over 131,000 veterans have taken their own lives. There have been 20 consecutive years with over 6,000 veteran suicides, equaling over 17 per day nationwide.
It is the second leading cause of death in veterans under the age of 45. Veterans are at 72 percent higher risk of suicide than those who have not served.
If you are a veteran or civilian experiencing thoughts of depression or suicide, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.